p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK ABLAPL No. 1168 of 2026 Pravat Mohanty …. Petitioner Mr. M. Mohanty, Advocate -Versus- State of Orissa …. Opposite Party Mr. M.K. Mohanty, ASC CORAM: MR. JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK Order No. ORDER 25.02.2026 01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the respective parties. 2. Instant petition under Section 482 BNSS is filed seeking pre-arrest bail of the petitioner in connection with G.R Case No.553 of 2011 pending in the file of learned Civil Judge- cum-J.M.F.C, Niali arising out of Niali P. S. Case No.66 of 2011 on the grounds stated. 3. Gone the FIR as at Annexure-1. A copy of the chargesheet is at Annexure-2. The Court finds that the alleged incident is of the year 2011. A case under Section 307 IPC along with the other allied offences has been registered. It is informed to the Court that the petitioner was shown as an absconder in the chargesheet. The further submission is that some of the co-accused persons faced trial and stood acquitted by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Assistant Sessions judge, Cuttack in S.T. No.142 of 2023, a copy of p. 2 which is at Annexure-3. With the above submission, the pre- arrest bail of the petitioner is demanded. Recorded the objection of the learned counsel for the State. Since, the chargesheet is already filed, though, the petitioner has been shown as an absconder, considering the fact that the incident is more than 15 years old and recording the submission that the petitioner was out side the State for his employment, this Court instead of granting him pre-arrest bail is of the view that he should be directed to surrender before the learned court below for being released with suitable conditions imposed. 4. Accordingly, it is ordered. 5. In the result, the ABLAPL is disposed of with the direction as aforesaid. In the event, the petitioner surrenders before the court of learned Civil Judge-cum-J.M.F.C, Niali within a fortnight from today, it is directed that he shall be released on bail in connection with G.R Case No.553 of 2011 corresponding to Niali P.S. Case No.66 of 2011 on furnishing a bail bond of Rs.30,000/-(rupees thirty thousand) with one solvent surety for the like amount with such other conditions imposed as deemed just and proper and in the facts and circumstances of the case. 6. Issue urgent certified copy of this order as per rules. (R.K. Pattanaik) Judge Rojina Designation: Junior Stenographer